July 4, 2017

Greetings My Friend,

As the warm water from the shower beats down on my neck I am amazed at how tight it is. I did not know my shoulders were hunched up and so are so tight and the warmth of the shower makes me want to lower my shoulders to a more relaxed state. The other area that tightens up on me is my lower back, which is why I find it difficult to stand for very long, walk on my own steam very far. My  Parkinson's seems to settle mostly in those 2 areas the most although I get muscles spasms when I am tired, my toes cramp up from time to time or the calves of my legs tighten up on me to the point of a muscle cramp. I also deal with tremors in my hands although the medication I take keeps them at bay. I have noticed I need the afternoon nap due to my lower back being stressed which tires me greatly. During the hot summer months my back brace makes me too hot so I only use a shoulder brace to help straighten my shoulders. My theory is if I keep pulling my posture back into alignment then I will be able to walk longer avoiding the trips and falls that my disease is prone to. Having osteoporosis I am vigilant in keeping myself from falling, thus breaking bones. I have been on the stronger dose of my PD medication for about 2 months now and I am finding that I am getting stronger, I have more energy to do things like exercise more which is finding me wandering about our property more so. With the porch cleared off of construction debris and tools I am able to enjoy the quiet time of porch sitting and this is the first year I have been able to enjoy fully where God has placed us. I was not confident walking around in the yard while using my walking stick, with all the uneven grass, holes and what not. I do find though that the walker gives me more confidence and I have been enjoying our yard so much more so. With the summer heat my stiffness is more tolerable which gives me confidence too. After my wanderings around the yard it is fun to watch the night sky consume the daylight and I am able to enjoy the fireflies as they light up the darkness of night. I feel that God has given me a reprieve in my illness and I feel so blessed. As I absorb His creation I find my spirit is quieted, that God is teaching me to be still and know that He is God. I learn that PD is what I have although God also tells me that I am not alone on this often scary journey. With this reprieve I feel that I may be stable in PD for many years and because of PD I am able to see the blessing God is giving me. I am more comfortable with "be still and know that God is God." As summer will turn to fall, fall to winter I will have these precious moments to recall in my difficult moments of this disease and in life in general. I am grateful for the reawakening in my soul  May God bless you and keep you make His face shine on you. Love Janet